The Coach's Daughter

Chapter 29

To put it simply, the night sucks.

I guess someone called the paramedics and now I have to explain to them that I really just need to drink some hot tea and take a shit but they still take me away in a stretcher with everyone watching. 

And THEN, the whole football team is forced to visit me as I'm strapped to IVs. That is, the whole football team minus Zack, who is missing for some reason. 

Luckily, none of them are making fun of me. Thanks to Jaden, they're actually getting along with me.

"So Melly," Xavier Smith starts. "How'd you get Darrington so whipped?" The guys hoot and holler but Jaden just rolls his eyes.

"Shut up guys. You know Zack's not like that," he says.

I'm not sure what that's supposed to mean but I don't get a chance to ask because redhead Damien Child asks, "he's good looking, huh?" He waggles his eyebrows.

"Something's gotta make up for his cranky attitude," I mutter and the guys explode.

"You're funny, Melly." Damien nods with approval.

"She's super smart, too," Jaden adds and gives me a crinkled smile. "Too bad she's related to coach."

"Oh, please. I see you kissing his ass all the time," I retort. 

The other guys damn near piss themselves and Jaden is trying to look mad, which just makes us laugh even harder.

In the midst of all of the laughter, Zack steps in. Even in sweats, he looks amazing. A smile overtakes my lips.

"Could you leave us for a second?" he asks lowly, but it's not really a question.

Most of the guys start to get up but Jaden stays sitting.

"We're here to see her, too," Jaden says sourly. My brows start to crease.

Zack's eyes flash. "I'm asking nicely, J."

"Coach asked me to stay here. Keep an eye on her," Jaden says.

"She's not a child." Zack scoffs. Sparks fly silently between them.

I clear my throat. "Thanks for coming by," I speak up and smile at Jaden. "I really appreciate it."

Clenching his jaw, Jaden gets up and the team shuffles out of the door, but not without Damien sending me a knowing wink as he closes the door.

Zack pulls a chair close to me. "How are you feeling?" He's unusually serious.

"I'm fine," I assure him. "Everyone's overreacting."

"You passed out. It could've been bad," he says gravely.

"But it wasn't," I point out. Reaching out, I place my hand over his.

"All this and you're the one comforting me," he says with a smirk.

I shrug with a smile and it goes quiet.

"Thank you for carrying me out," I say, breaking the silence.

"Of course, Princess," he says without hesitation.

I let out an annoyed sigh but I'm smiling. He smiles back before shaking his head.

"This is not how I pictured this night going," he says, almost groaning.

"Me neither," I chuckle. To say the least.

He hesitates for a moment then starts, "Look, I have something to ask you-"

Just in time to ruin things, the door swings open and my dad steps in, stone-faced and staring at us. Horrified, I immediately remove my hand from Zack's.

"Darrington," my dad says roughly. "It's time for you to leave." 

He isn't looking at Zack, though. He's looking at me.

Zack looks like he wants to protest but I'm yelling at him with my eyes. His jaw tightens and he seems to understand that his staying will only make things worse. 

"Feel better, Amelia," he says and leaves.

"I thought your mother told you to stay away from him," my dad scolds the second the door shuts.

My lip curls up the tiniest bit and I tear my eyes away from him. 

"I'm feeling good, dad. Thanks for asking," I say sarcastically.

He doesn't reply. His eyes glance at Zack's sweatshirt, which the doctors took off of me. 

"Zack's not a good guy, Amelia. I knew his father. That family... they're a bunch of-"

I can't bear to let him finish. "You don't even know him," I disagree, shaking my head in disappointment.

"And you do?!" he shouts. His tone is the angriest I've ever heard it. In fact, I'm surprised he still can muster emotion in his voice.

"I do," I answer. "He's a good person, dad. He's not his father."

"You're being stupid, Amelia. You're 16. You can't tell a good person from a bad one."

"I'm not stupid, dad. Please don't insult my intelligence."

He ignores me. "What is it?" he interrogates. "You want a boy to like? Why can't you like a boy like Jaden?"

"It's not up to you to control who I like. I don't get it. You never cared about me before so why do you care now?" I ask tiredly.

"Don't be a smart-ass, Amelia," he warns. "I'm your father. I know what's best for you."

"How would you know what's best for me?" I ask. "You don't even know me. You don't even talk to me. I mean, I got carried away on a stretcher and the first thing you do when you see me is criticize me." I keep my voice as even as possible but it's shaky.

"The doctors said you were fine," he says coldly.

"So? Is it that hard to ask me how I'm feeling? Do I have to be dying for you to even show a little bit of care?"

"You're always so emotional," he says disappointedly, even though I've been keeping my voice calm this entire time, as it always is.

"Is it so bad to have emotions?" I ask quietly.

His face hardens. He's turned off. "Whatever you have with him is done. You'll speak to your mother at home." With that, he gets up and walks out, not even caring that I'm crying.

A/N: Votes/comments r loved. Also yes she cries a lot lmfao so do I